Depo-Provera: asking the FDA to investigate

» syrinx1967 - Depo-Provera

Hello,

My name is Stephanie Ulrich. I had a Depo-Provera shot one time, in March of this year.

I've been to three doctors and had two emergency room visits (for vaginal pain and/or bladder symptoms) since then. I had never had ANY medical problems before this shot. Suddenly my life has become a nightmare of doctor visits, prescriptions, tests and misdiagnoses.

Finally the third gynecologist recognized my symptoms for what they were: atrophic vaginitis, due to menopause (I'm 34 years old), brought on by the Depo shot. This is not the only problem I had: I also experienced hair loss, severe acne, two other vaginal infections, a bladder infection and a sinus infection...all since I had that shot. I didn't bleed as much as many women do...just had some spotting before the other problems began. And I didn't gain a single ounce.

The good news is I'm gradually getting better. My gyno is treating my symptoms which may or may not reverse. I don't want more children so that part of menopause is of little concern for me. But I thought about it: How would I feel if I DID want more children? Depo has cheated me out of the opportunity at the age of 34. Do I want other women to continue to be cheated, and to suffer the symptoms I did (and worse)?

Some of the symptoms and problems I have had or others have had include (but are DEFINITELY not limited to) the following:

excessive weight gain, erratic or excessive vaginal bleeding, headaches, nausea, back pain, neck pain, severe depression, fatigue, endometriosis, acne, bladder and vaginal infections, fibromyalgia, fibrocystic breast, cervical infections, ovarian cyst, excessive body hair, hair loss, hormonal and lymphatic deficiencies, chronic constipation or diarrhea, and decreased immune response.

I didn't want ANY of these for myself, and don't want it for other women. So I decided to petition the FDA to investigate this drug.

I hope you will view and carefully read my petition to the FDA. My petition can be found at this address:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/depo1/peti...

Thank you!
Stephanie Ulrich

-- posted by syrinx1967

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» tamara_peters - Re: Depo-Provera

In response to message posted by syrinx1967:

Hi Stephanie! Thanks for the information. This is the second instance I've heard of a possible connection between Fibromyalgia and Depo. Hope you don't mind if I copy your post and link to my topic as I would like to help you spread this message. Good luck to you.
Tamara

-- posted by tamara_peters

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» tkimball - Re: Re: Depo-Provera

In response to message posted by tamara_peters:

I started taking the Depo shot off and on between pregnacies around 1992. After my third was born (1997) I starting taking it again and have religiously since then. I haven't had any problems on it and it's been almost 6 years. I do have fibromyalgia.... but it was diagnosed before I started taking Depo. As for the other symptoms... any medication will cause problems here and there. The only thing I have been told by my doctor is that IF I wanted anymore children that it may take awhile to get pregnant. (I haven't had a period in 6 years... I'm all for it and my paps are normal every year.)

I'm not saying that Depo is extremely safe, but with all medications you run the risk of some degree of side-effects... some others have tremendous problems. (My sister had terrible problems with Norplant.) I'm not saying that the FDA shouldn't do some more tests, but I also don't think people should be afraid to use it if it's perfect for thier lifestyle. Every person is different...

I'm sorry Stephanie for all you have gone through and I hope things get better!!

-- posted by tkimball

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» medikath - Re: Depo-Provera

In response to message posted by syrinx1967:

I've had trouble with Depo, as well, although not to the extent of Stephanie's (and others') problems. The effects of Depo have been enough to convince me to not use it any more. My last shot expired yesterday, and who knows what'll happen from here! Debbi Craig is the Editor of the Birth Control topic here at Suite101, and I encourage all of you to check out her topic, especially her three-part article series on Depo Provera. My personal feeling is that if this many people are having trouble, the drug ought to be more thoroughly investigated. I know there are a lot of people who just love Depo (I used to be one of them), but I know there were a lot of poeple who loved Phen-Fen, and did just fine on it. But look at those who didn't fare so well, and did get ill--they're getting millions from various lawsuits, but they also have to deal with chronic, SERIOUS health problems. After reading all of the Depo horror stories out there, I agree with Stephanie that Depo SHOULD be checked out a little more closely. There's a good article on Depo from WoMB Web that you can find here, and please visit Debbi's topic--she presents a great deal of excellent information, and Debbi herself is a great help.

-- posted by medikath

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» ttcweb - Re: Depo-Provera

Stephanie, you are not the first woman I have talked to that has suffered from atrophic vaginitis because of Depo.

I have a somewhat unique look at birth control as I also do research and write articles for women that are trying to conceive (many after Depo) and so I know the stories from both sides. Many women are told by their doctors (who have been told by the drug company) that they can get pregnant after using Depo. Unfortunately too many can't, I know, I help them with information and advice.

I have signed your petition and I strongly feel that Depo should not only be investigated further (it took many years to be approved), but should be removed from the market while the investigation is being conducted. Each woman that has used Depo (once or for several years) should be contacted by the FDA.

I know of one lawyer that is currently working on a class action lawsuit for those that have been harmed by Depo. Sybil Shainwald can be contacted through her web site http://www.shainwaldlaw.com and you can send her your contact information if you are interested.

My wish for you is that you and your doctor will be able to reverse the side effects of Depo so that you can lead a normal life in the very near future.

If you ever need anyone to talk to, please let me know!!

Best Wishes,

-- posted by ttcweb

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» moutngrl - Re: Depo-Provera

I think your peitionis a great idea Stephani. Despite many bad stories I decided to try the depro. I had severe mood swings and spotting. I decided to got to a diaphram.

I am not putting anymore chemicals in my body. I hope you are doing better!

Laurie
http://www.momsforlife.com/?lw38059

In response to message posted by syrinx1967:

-- posted by moutngrl

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» Tiffany48 - Re: Depo-Provera

Hi my name is Tiffany, I too have my own horror story in regards to the depo shot. Unfortunately,
it involves more than just myself. Now that I have learned more about the side effects the more I see that I fall into all of the worst case scenarios. I have fallen into a severe state of depression, I have been both suicidal and homicidal. I constantly have thoughts of killing both myself and the only man I have ever been in love with. I didn't gain any weight but I was unable to lose any weight. After I had my oldest daughter is when I started on the depo shot, I weighed 128 pounds before I became pregnant with her. After I had her I had gained roughly 50 pounds, which I have still been unable to lose the weight, even though I have been working out and dieting faithfully. After being on the depo for a year, while I was still taking it, I became pregnant with my youngest daughter, who is now having medical problems of her own. She is 10 months but still the size of a five month old. She also had complications with the way she was growing before she was even born (the growth of her limbs started slowing down in comparison to the rest of her body). Before I found out that I was pregnant with her, I had surgery thinking that the doctors would have checked for something like that seeing as they were doing surgery on my stomach, they didn't. Their reason for this was they didn't think anyone could get pregnant while still on the shot. If anyone can tell about the lawsuit that I have been hearing about please contact me at eja5942704@aol.com.

-- posted by Tiffany48

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